Introduction

Torpedo Scad—locally called Kawwa—is a fast‑swimming, schooling pelagic fish from the jack family (Carangidae). Sleek, silver, and built for speed, it shows a “torpedo” profile with trailing finlets behind the dorsal and anal fins, long scythe‑like pectorals, and a distinctive black spot on the upper rear edge of the gill cover. It is widely landed across the Indo‑Pacific, including Pakistan’s Arabian Sea coast, and marketed fresh, frozen, salted, or dried. Typical market sizes are 25–45 cm, though the species can reach 80 cm and about 4 kg.

Habitat, Diet & Growth

Habitat & Range: Tropical Indo‑West Pacific; common from East Africa and the Persian Gulf across the Indian Ocean to Southeast Asia, Japan and Australia. Occupies inshore and offshore surface layers, generally ~20–100 m depth; forms large schools and is rarely reef‑resident.

• Pakistan & Northern Arabian Sea: Regularly landed along Karachi–Sonmiani–Pasni–Gwadar; local studies treat it as a key small pelagic in catches.

• Diet: Predatory—feeds mainly on small fishes, plus cephalopods and crustaceans; diet can shift with size, but fish remain dominant prey.

• Growth: Common commercial lengths 30–45 cm; Lm (50% maturity) around ≈22 cm. Longevity ~3–5 years reported.

Field cues: elongate fusiform body; long pectorals; heavy scutes along straight lateral line; black opercular spot; paired dorsal/anal finlets behind main fins.

Spawning & Conservation

Spawning Season (Pakistan – Northern Arabian Sea): Prolonged season with two peaks — May–June and November–February — based on monthly port-landing samples from Karachi coast (2013–2014)

Maturity: Reaches maturity within the first year around ~25 cm TL in regional datasets.

Conservation / Fishery Status: Globally assessed as Least Concern and widely fished; Pakistan-focused stock assessments indicate heavy/excessive exploitation and recommend management to stay near MSY (≈ 1,300–3,300 t/yr). Recent analyses classify resilience as medium.

• Spawning Windows (Pakistan): May–June; Nov–Feb.

• Status: Common but manage carefully due to local over-exploitation signals.

Names & Taxonomy

Sourcing & Catching Method

• Where it’s sourced: Indo‑Pacific fisheries, including Pakistan’s Arabian Sea coast (Karachi, Sonmiani, Pasni, Gwadar).

• Gears: Purse seines, beach seines, trawls, hook‑and‑line; marketed fresh, frozen, salted, dried.

• Seasonality: Available year‑round; landing peaks often align with regional spawning/recruitment pulses (e.g., late spring/early summer in the N. Arabian Sea).

• Quality handling: As a small pelagic, prompt icing after capture preserves texture and flavor for fresh or frozen export markets.

Physical Traits & Texture

• Appearance: Bluish-grey to green dorsally, silvery sides/belly, large black opercular spot; pale to yellowish fins with darker edges; finlets behind dorsal/anal fins; deep, compressed, fusiform body built for speed.

• Texture & Taste: Lean, firm, mild-to-moderate flavor; works in robust masalas without breaking apart. (Aligned with carangid culinary properties.)

Cutting Options & Approximate Yields

(Yields typical for lean, firm carangids and standard shop practice.)

Cooking Ideas – Versatile, Rich & Flavorful

• Kawwa Masala Tawa Fry: Red chili, turmeric, garlic-ginger, lemon; sear on hot tawa till edges crisp.

• Green Chutney Grill: Coriander-mint, cumin, green chili; quick-grill for juicy steaks.

• Onion-Tomato Curry: Gentle simmer to keep flakes intact; finish with curry leaves.

• Dried Kawwa (Traditional): Sun-dry salted strips; shallow-fry and add to dals/veg for umami.

• Air-Fryer Steaks: Light oil, cracked pepper, lemon — clean, low-oil prep.

Tips for Selecting Fresh Torpedo Scad (Kawwa)

• Eyes: Clear, not sunken/cloudy.

• Skin: Bright silvery sheen, no dull or dehydrated patches.

• Flesh: Firm and springy; no gaping.

• Smell: Clean, ocean-fresh — avoid sour/ammonia notes.

Storage Tips

• Refrigeration: Keep on ice or ≤4 °C; use within 48 hours for peak quality.

• Freezing: Airtight pack at −18 °C; best within 1–2 months for flavor/texture.

• Dry/ Salt Cure: Traditional preservation for long shelf life in ambient storage once fully dried.

🥗 Nutrition Highlights (Approx. per 100 g, cooked/steamed)

Lean marine fish values comparable to other carangids:

• Calories: ~110–140 kcal

• Protein: ~20–23 g

• Fat: ~3–6 g (low overall; contains omega-3s)

• Carbs: 0 g

(Representative of lean pelagic species; exact values vary by season/size.)

Need Something Similar?

• Indian Mackerel: Oilier, stronger flavor; superb in spicy curries